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Today is “Yom Yerushalayim” (Jerusalem Day), honoring the 44th anniversary of the city’s reunification from Islamic occupation, oppression, and apartheid in 1967. I’ve written about Jerusalem and its historical role, as the eternal Jewish city for thousands of years, whereas in Islam, it’s a new story created out of wholecloth. I recommend you read my piece, “Whose Jerusalem?” which tells you everything you need to know about Jewish history of Jerusalem versus Muslim “history” (a/k/a revisionism and fairy tales) on Jerusalem. Yup, the ruling Al-Ummayad Muslims created a fictional claim to get Muslims to go elsewhere at a time it could not facilitate the hajj to Mecca, as rival Muslim rebels had overtaken and were blocking access (and the fairy tale soon took and became the “Islamic claim to Jerusalem”). Yup, it’s been “blame the Jews” or steal the Jews’ land for centuries in that “religion,” and almost always to take eyes off their own internal fighting and problems.

Israeli Soldiers Liberate the Western Wall of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem from Muslim Occupation in 1967

As we recognize and celebrate Jerusalem Day, let us remember that Jerusalem was divided and treated like garbage by Muslims in Barack Obama’s preferred “pre-1967 borders.” Never again should Israel return to those Auschwitz borders, as leftist Israeli politician Abba Eban–a peacenik who was willing to concede a lot to the Muslims for the elusive and non-existent “peace”–called them. Jerusalem must never again be divided or occupied by Islamic interlopers and invaders.

Below is video of Jerusalem accompanying the song, “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” (Jerusalem of Gold). It is sung here by Ofra Haza, an Israeli woman whose family came to Israel from Yemen, from which they were expelled from their home. Sadly, Ms. Haza, a leftist whose music was loved even in Muslim lands, died of AIDS, which she reportedly got either from her husband, a rumored drug user, or from a blood transfusion she got during a miscarriage at a Turkish hospital. My late father was a big fan, and I have his many Ofra Haza CDs. The song was originally written and sung by the late Naomi Shemer, a popular Israeli singer and former IDF soldier, who wrote the song in 1967, upon Jerusalem’s reunification after liberation from Muslim occupation. My late Holocaust survivor grandfather, Isaac, used to always play Shemer’s version on his record player when I visited. Love it.

Israeli Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren Sounds the Shofar (Ram’s Horn) upon the Recapture of the Western Wall (the holiest site in Judaism)

Back then, Israel’s Left was Zionist and patriotic in outlook and spirit. Today its radical and anti-Semitic and longs for Israel’s destruction.

Ofra Haza was an amazing talent and her music shows her love for the country. Any one who has ever seen her sing “Chai” at the 1983 Eurovision can relate to how the Jewish people survived the Holocaust and built a free life in a new country – really an old one!

I discovered her “Yemenite Songs” based on R. Shalom Shabazi’s poems. In my opinion, they are an incomparable Jewish treasure and the traditional Jewish bridal dress worn at weddings is beautiful.

Which brings us to Jerusalem. Sadly, a number of Israeli governments have talked of re-dividing the city. That must never be allowed to happen. The reason why the world hates Israeli ruling it is because of anti-Semitism. Jerusalem has never been at peace like during the 44 years of Israeli rule.

It must never be forgotten a Jewish State without Jerusalem would be a country without a heart and soul. Naomi Shemer’s famous song was originally a lament changed into a song of triumph by Israel’s miraculous victory in the Six Day War.

Here’s what I believe: Israel owes its return to Jerusalem to G-d. And for every Jew alive then and alive today, it was and is a transcendent spiritual experience. No one planned for it, anticipated it or sought it. It was just felt. And when you are in Jerusalem that is what remains with you and if you have to ask – yes, I’ve been there.

May Jerusalem always be Israel’s complete, undivided and eternal capital!

All well & dandy,facts of history are written in Jerusalem’s rocks & no foe of Israel can ever remove it. The real danger is not Arab Propaganda but what the very near future holds for the whole region, including Israel.In order & save Assad’s grip on Syria, Hamas & Hezbullah will probably attack Israel with long range missiles, with strong Syrian participation. Both Hezbullah & Hamas realize that with Assad gone, they loose everything they have “achieved” over the years. Assad is their strong link to Iran & without syria, this link is dead in the water….I srael is now facing its most difficult hour…stay tuned…

Essentially, the Muslim claims on Jerusalem boils down to this – Mohammed had this dream where he rides on a half mule, half donkey creature called baraq (no, not Obama) first to Jerusalem, and from there to heaven.

That’s the basis of their claim – one that ought to have been laughed out by every international organization that ever tried mediating this dispute. Of course, if the Jews all moved to the Antarctic, Muslims would want that as well.

The late Naomi Shemer indeed wrote the profoundly poetic words of “Yerushalaim shel Zahav”, to a tune she sincerely believed came to her as inspiration, but which on her deathbed she acknowledged to be a Basque lullaby that she must have overheard. However, the ingénue IDF soldier who first sang it in 1967 was not she – that was Shuly (Shulamit) Nathan, who as far as I know is still very much with us and still performing.